I'd like to start swimming but i believe I'm a little old for competitions. I'm 17 (i still feel 16, i turned 17 two days ago), and don't know how tough the competition is. I'm a really, really good runner(play lots of soccer, too much perhaps :)), but i can't even swim 3 laps (6, back and forth)! I'm pretty skinny too, about 120, so have a 'streamlined' body for swimming, i just lack the endurance. Any tips?
2006-07-13 14:33:55 · 14 answers · asked by Lobo man 2 in Sports ➔ Swimming & Diving
I was exaggerating when i said i could do only 3 laps, i could more.
2006-07-14 04:46:33 · update #1
you are never too old to compete! the competition depends on what kind of team you are joining. if you're joining a club team, then the competition is more fierce. some of these kids have been swimming since elementary school and practicing five or more days a week for two or more hours. if you're joining a high school team, then there are a wider range of swimmers. some will be just like you, while others may be on a club team and the high school team. whichever team you are planning to join, don't worry. they match you up with people that have times that are similar to yours, so that you won't get embarrassed, and you'll also be able to compete with this person. in practice, they will work from your level. you will probably start out in a lane with other new, "slow" swimmers, but eventually you can work your way up to faster and faster lanes if you complete the workouts your coach gives you in the time she/he gives you. it sounds like you should be in pretty good shape, you probably just have to work on your technique, which you can ask your swim coach to help you with. in summary, go for it. don't worry. the coaches (hopefully) know what they are doing, at least that's been my experience. they will evaluate your level and give you a workout that will challenge, encourage, and develop you.
2006-07-13 14:43:22 · answer #1 · answered by kookykid 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it doesn't matter what age u start swimming at and in swimming the competition is very very fierce and not that many people know that and streamline is just how u should have ur body when u dive in or push off the wall it isn't how ur body is and running is alot diff. than swimming so if ur good at it just practice everyday pace urself u don't have to sprint every second that u r swimming if u sprinted distance u would never finish 6 laps thats a 150 yd. and just push urself eventually u will get to the place u wanna be at
2006-07-14 05:22:58 · answer #2 · answered by door knob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if u want to swim competitivley u should have started earlier but find urself a good city swim team with a good coach and just spend a lot of time in the water. it's pretty hard to be a good swimmer, but u'll be able to do WAY more then three laps if u spend two r three monthes on a team.
2006-07-13 16:16:19 · answer #3 · answered by dumbblonde131313 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Begin working out your upper body [pecs, shoulders, biceps, triceps, abs, ect]
Also, practice deep breathing excercises. What to do is fill your stomach with air and then your chest [all at once], hold it until you have to let it out, but let it out very slowly.
Eat light foods that are full of carbohydrates so you can have extra energy stored up. Drink alot of water.
Its your choice to shave the excess body hair [legs, armpits, arms, whatever]. But it is a known fact that hair will slow you down in a competition because it holds water and you need a smooth surface so your body can glide along the water at an even speed.
2006-07-13 14:41:08 · answer #4 · answered by Patient Paws 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
run
ride the bike both outside and stationary for an hour
and of course keep swimming and make yourself do another lap every few days
force yourself..and by next week you should be a few laps more than last week..
you need to just do it..push yourself..more and more...
good luck
2006-07-13 14:37:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
17 is not an old age for swimming and you just have to work on youir technique in swimming to get better endurence
2006-07-18 11:00:46 · answer #6 · answered by ced 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get on a swim team the couches will train an develop you to swim correctly and build your endurance swim swim swim swim swim and swim that is the only way you will get good
2006-07-13 14:39:51 · answer #7 · answered by Patrick M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep playing soccor because its good to run around alot because that builds stamina and endurance......and right after you are done playing soccor or any physical activity that makes you sweat....drink a protien shake or eat protien bars.
2006-07-13 14:37:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Join a team and the coach will whip you into shape.
2006-07-15 21:59:52 · answer #9 · answered by jen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
shave all your hair off and just start swimming.
2006-07-13 14:35:57 · answer #10 · answered by gnarlss_barkleyy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋